Every spring, I get swept up in the joy of baking cheerful treats, and Easter Jello Cookies have become my go-to tradition for adding a pop of color and fun to the holiday. These soft, buttery cookies sparkle with vibrant hues thanks to flavored Jello powder in the dough, making each bite a sweet little celebration. Not only are they easy and quick to prepare, but they’re also irresistibly tasty and sure to brighten any dessert table—kids and adults alike can’t get enough. With their pastel colors and candy-like flavor, Easter Jello Cookies are a delicious way to welcome the season, create memories in the kitchen, and share smiles with everyone you love.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Easter Jello Cookies is in their simplicity—every ingredient pulls its weight, whether it’s building that pillowy texture or layering on flavor and color. Here’s what you’ll need to turn your pantry staples into a tray full of irresistible, pastel-perfect cookies.
- Unsalted Butter (1 cup, softened): Provides the rich, creamy base that makes these cookies melt in your mouth.
- Granulated Sugar (1 cup): Sweetens the dough and helps create that signature tender crumb.
- Large Egg (1): Binds everything together while adding a touch of fluffiness.
- Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon): Rounds out the flavors and boosts the cookie’s aroma.
- All-Purpose Flour (2 1/2 cups): Gives structure so your cookies can hold those lovely colors and shapes.
- Baking Powder (1 teaspoon): Lightens the cookies, ensuring every bite is perfectly soft.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Balances out the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.
- Jello (4 flavors, 3-ounce boxes): Choose pastel flavors like strawberry, lemon, lime, and berry blue for brilliant color and fruity tang—each box will flavor and tint a portion of dough.
- Pastel Sprinkles (optional): Add a festive finish and extra crunch to your finished cookies.
How to Make Easter Jello Cookies
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining your baking sheets with parchment paper for a breezy cleanup later. In a large bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar. Blend until the mixture is light, pale, and fluffy—this will set the stage for those perfectly tender Easter Jello Cookies.
Step 2: Add the Egg and Vanilla
Once your butter and sugar are whipped to creamy perfection, beat in the egg and vanilla extract. This step not only binds your dough, but the vanilla elevates every flavor note in the finished cookies, giving them that comforting, homemade aroma.
Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together your flour, baking powder, and salt. This quick whisk ensures the leavening and salt are evenly distributed throughout, so each Easter Jello Cookie bakes up soft, tall, and bursting with flavor.
Step 4: Mix It All Together
Gradually add the dry mixture to your wet ingredients, mixing on low speed or by hand, until a soft dough forms. Take your time and mix just until combined—over-mixing can make the cookies tough, and we want them to be melt-in-your-mouth soft!
Step 5: Divide and Flavor the Dough
Now for the fun part! Evenly divide your dough into four bowls. To each bowl, add 2 tablespoons of a different Jello powder flavor. Knead each batch gently with clean hands until the color and flavor are thoroughly blended. You’ll have four beautifully vibrant mounds of dough, ready to be shaped.
Step 6: Shape, Coat, and Flatten
Scoop out 1-inch balls of dough and roll each one in the same Jello powder for a punch of extra color and tang. Place each ball onto your prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Gently flatten each with the bottom of a glass—this gives you that classic, chewy cookie look.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Bake in your preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes. The cookies should look set but not browned—this keeps them soft and tender inside with a lovely pastel finish outside. Let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes (they’ll firm up a bit), then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling. If you’d like, sprinkle them with pastel sprinkles while they’re still slightly warm so the sprinkles stick perfectly.
How to Serve Easter Jello Cookies
Garnishes
A final flourish of pastel sprinkles takes these cookies from adorable to absolutely irresistible. If you have edible glitter or tiny candied flowers, a tiny sprinkle will truly make your Easter Jello Cookies look bakery-worthy! You can even drizzle a little lemon or vanilla glaze if you want an extra layer of sweetness and shine.
Side Dishes
Easter Jello Cookies are the ultimate sweet treat on their own, but they also shine on a dessert platter alongside fresh fruit, lemon bars, or chocolate-dipped strawberries. For a festive brunch, pair them with mini quiches and hot cross buns for a sweet-and-savory spread everyone will rave about.
Creative Ways to Present
For a playful Easter celebration, stack the cookies by color to create a rainbow on your favorite cake stand or display them in paper candy cups for easy grab-and-go snacking. You can also wrap a bundle in cellophane with a pastel ribbon—they make the cutest homemade gifts for friends, family, or neighbors!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have Easter Jello Cookies left (a rare occurrence in my house!), just pop them into an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft, fresh, and flavorful for up to five days. Tuck a small slice of bread in the container to help absorb moisture and keep them extra tender.
Freezing
Need to bake ahead? Absolutely! You can freeze the unbaked dough balls or the finished cookies. For dough, shape and freeze on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 2 months—just bake from frozen, adding a minute or two to the time. For baked cookies, let them cool fully, then stack with parchment between layers in an airtight container.
Reheating
If you adore that just-baked warmth, give your Easter Jello Cookies a quick pop in the microwave for 5-10 seconds. They’ll be soft and fragrant—just like they were fresh out of the oven! If reheating from frozen, allow them to thaw at room temperature before warming.
FAQs
Can I use sugar-free Jello for these cookies?
Absolutely! Sugar-free Jello works just fine and still gives those gorgeous colors. The cookies will be a touch less sweet, so taste your dough and, if you like, add an extra tablespoon or two of sugar to compensate.
Do I have to use four different Jello flavors?
Four flavors will give you that beautiful pastel rainbow, but you can absolutely use fewer if that’s what’s handy! Even just one flavor (like lemon or strawberry) will make a delicious, cheerful batch of cookies.
Can kids help make Easter Jello Cookies?
Oh, definitely! This is one of my favorite projects to do with little bakers—kneading the dough and rolling the colors is hands-on, fun, and perfect for kids of all ages. Just be prepared for a little (happy!) mess.
What’s the best way to get even coloring in the dough?
I recommend using gloved hands to knead the Jello powder into the dough, especially with vibrantly colored flavors. It helps to work quickly and make sure your dough is fully blended, so every cookie shows off its color.
Do I need to chill the dough before baking?
Nope, that’s one of the best parts! Easter Jello Cookies dough is wonderfully quick and easy—just mix, shape, and bake. If your dough gets sticky, a quick 10-minute chill can help, but it’s rarely needed.
Final Thoughts
Easter Jello Cookies are pure, happy magic in every bite—bursting with color, full of sweet flavor, and perfect for creating memories in the kitchen. Whether you’re making a batch for your family, a holiday party, or a special gift, these cookies never fail to delight. Give them a try and share the joy—they’re guaranteed to bring smiles to every table!
Print
Easter Jello Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 36 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Easter Jello Cookies are a fun and colorful treat perfect for the holiday season. These soft and flavorful cookies are infused with different Jello flavors, making them a delightful addition to any Easter gathering.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Jello Mix-Ins:
- 4 different flavors of Jello (3-ounce boxes, such as strawberry, lemon, lime, and berry blue)
Decoration:
- Pastel sprinkles for decoration (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add egg and vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, forming a soft dough.
- Divide and add Jello: Divide the dough into 4 portions. Add 2 tablespoons of a different Jello flavor to each portion and knead until evenly distributed.
- Shape and bake: Roll dough into 1-inch balls, coat in Jello powder, and place on baking sheet. Flatten slightly and bake for 8-10 minutes.
- Cool and decorate: Allow cookies to cool before transferring to a wire rack. Decorate with pastel sprinkles if desired.
Notes
- For a softer cookie, bake on the lower end of the time range.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Perfect for Easter with pastel-colored Jello flavors.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 95
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 55 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
